diff --git a/index.php b/index.php
index 24225b8..2532c31 100644
--- a/index.php
+++ b/index.php
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 <?php
 
+// check PHP version
+if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.3.6', '<')) {
+    die('Sorry, Pico requires PHP 5.3.6 or above to run!');
+}
+
 // load dependencies
 if(is_file($f = __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php')) {
     // local composer install
diff --git a/lib/Pico.php b/lib/Pico.php
index f547f26..8714345 100644
--- a/lib/Pico.php
+++ b/lib/Pico.php
@@ -271,11 +271,6 @@ class Pico
      */
     public function run()
     {
-        // check PHP version
-        if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.3.6', '<')) {
-            die('Sorry, Pico requires PHP 5.3.6 or above to run!');
-        }
-
         // lock Pico
         $this->locked = true;